BEVERLY HILLS, March 07, (THEWILL) – A joint team of Ibarapa security operatives, including the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Vigilante, and other groups have arrested a notorious kidnap kingpin, Iskilu Wakili, in Oyo State.
Wakili, a Fulani, was arrested alongside three others, after several attempts resulting in a gun battle.
There had been reports that Wakili and his gang were involved in the killings and kidnapping of several people in Ibarapa, Oke Ogun, Oyo State.
His arrest is coming barely seven days after his second-in-command, Isiaka Muhammadu, was arrested alongside four others.
A statement on Sunday by Kehinde Aderemi, the Special Assistant on Media to the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, confirmed Wakili’s arrest
The statement said, the Fulani warlord was arrested around 7am on Sunday and handed over to the Divisional Police Office in Igbo Ora, Oyo State.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland described Wakili as a most-dreaded and notorious kidnap kingpin operating in Oyo State.
Adams said, “I am happy that the notorious kidnapper had been captured alongside three others. It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the South-West is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders.
“I commend all the members of the joint security team that has made this possible because with the video at my disposal, it was purely a neat job.
“With this development, I think the whole world will agree with me that the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry needs native intelligence, information gathering, and grassroots support from local securities and operatives.
“As I have said earlier that the effort to rid the South-West of bandits and kidnappers was to complement the efforts of the police and in doing that, it is also very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and they have their ears to the ground on local security matters.”
About the Author
